July 5, 1988 – The Maelstrom Boat Ride Opens in Epcot’s Norway
Image credit: Official Walt Disney World Website
“Exploring Norway’s heritage isn’t going to be smooth sailing, so buck up like a Viking would!”
On July 5, 1988, the Maelstrom boat ride attraction opened in Norway in Epcot’s World Showcase. The guests explore Norway from past to present, as they ride in Viking-inspired longboats through scenery that changes from fjords to swamps, and meet trolls, polar bears and pirates. The ride climaxes with the boats plummeting backwards down rapids and narrowly missing a waterfall. After dodging all the obstacles, the guests are treated to a five-minute film about the beauty of present-day Norway.
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